Trump rushed off stage in Reno, Nevada, by Secret Service

RENO, Nevada, N.C./PHILADELPHIA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - R epublican Donald Trump was rushed off stage by security agents at a rally in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday night after a perceived security threat as he and Democrat Hillary Clinton swept across states that could prove decisive in Tuesday's presidential election.

The threat was unclear. Two security agents seized Trump by the shoulders and hustled him backstage as police officers swarmed over a white male in the front of the crowd and held him face down on the ground while they searched him.

Moments later, the man was escorted by police away with his hands behind his back. Trump, seemingly unruffled, returned to the stage and continued his campaign speech.

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Police officers stand guard backstage after U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was hustled off the stage by security agents at a campaign event following a perceived threat in the crowd, in Reno, Nevada, U.S. November 5, 2016. Trump returned to the stage a few minutes later to continue his rally speech. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (centre L) addresses supporters during a campaign rally at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado on November 5, 2016.
White House Republican candidate Donald Trump was earlier in the day bundled off stage by security officers on November 5 after a false gun scare during a campaign appearance.
/ AFP / Jason Connolly (Photo credit should read JASON CONNOLLY/AFP/Getty Images)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is hustled off the stage by security agents following a perceived threat in the crowd at a campaign rally in Reno, Nevada, U.S. November 5, 2016. Trump returned to the stage a few minutes later to continue his rally speech. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

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"Nobody said it was going to be easy for us," he said. "But we will never be stopped."

The incident began when Trump noticed what he considered a heckler, saying it was someone "from the Hillary Clinton campaign." A few seconds later people near the stage began pointing at someone in the crowd near the front.

Then agents took Trump away. A CNN reporter at the event who spoke to witnesses to the incident said no one saw a weapon.

In a statement, Trump thanked the Secret Service, Reno and Nevada law enforcement for "their fast and professional response."

The incident occurred as Clinton and Trump make their closing arguments to American voters, crisscrossing the United States in hopes of winning over last-minute undecided voters and rallying their bases to turn out enthusiastically on Election Day.

In Philadelphia, pop singer Katy Perry performed at a Clinton rally, the latest in a string of celebrity appearances aimed at getting out the vote among millennials.

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Florida

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pumps his fist in the air during a campaign rally at the Collier County Fairgrounds on October 23, 2016 in Naples, Florida. Early voting in Florida in the presidential election begins October 24. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Donald Trump, 2016 Republican presidential nominee, speaks during the 2nd annual Roast and Ride hosted by Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, not pictured, in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. Ernst, who in 2014 won the Senate seat vacated by Democrat Tom Harkin when he retired, has turned her Roast and Ride into the conservative answer to the Harkin's legendary Steak Fry fundraiser, which auditioned dozens of presidential candidates over its 37-year history. (Photo by Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

North Carolina

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally on September 12, 2016 at U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Trump criticized Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for saying that half of his supporters belong in a 'basket of deplorables.' (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

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"When your kids and grandkids ask you what you did in 2016, when it was all on the line, I want you be able to say you voted for a better, stronger, America," Clinton.

Opinion polls show Clinton still holds advantages in states that could be critical in deciding the election. But her lead has narrowed after a revelation a week ago that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into a new trove of emails as part of its probe into her handling of classified information while she was secretary of state.

A McClatchy-Marist opinion poll released on Saturday of voters nationwide showed Clinton leading by 1 percentage point compared to 6 percentage points in September. A Reuters/Ipsos tracking poll on Saturday showed Clinton ahead by 4 percentage points nationally compared to 5 points on Friday.

Both candidates spent time in Florida, considered one of the most hotly contested states. The 2000 presidential election was decided in Florida after a dispute over votes and recounting of ballots went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Republican George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore.

The Real Clear Politics average of Florida opinion polls found Clinton with a lead of about 1 percentage point - indicating the race there is a virtual tie.

Trump spoke at a rally on Saturday morning in Tampa, Florida, where he continued to criticize Clinton for supporting the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in the wake of an announcement that premiums are going to rise next year.

"It's not going to matter because if we win I'm throwing it out anyway," Trump said.

Shortly before Clinton took the stage in Pembroke Pines, Florida, rained poured down. People in the crowd waiting for Clinton at the outdoor rally remained in place, taking out umbrellas and fashioning garbage bags into head coverings.

"I'm thrilled to be here and boy is this a hardy group, rain or shine you are ready," Clinton said, her voice cracking with hoarseness.

She cut her speech short as she became soaked in rain, saying, "I don't think I need to tell you all of the wrong things about Donald Trump."

At the JFK library in Hialeah, Florida, people lined up outside for early voting. Nearby, supporters of both candidates waved signs and shouted slogans, urging passing drivers to honk their horns.

Early voting began in September and the data firm Catalist estimates more than 30 million ballots have been cast in 38 states. There are an estimated 225.8 million eligible U.S. voters. Saturday was the final day for early voting in many Florida counties.

CHANGES IN PLANS

Trump and Clinton campaigns adjusted travel schedules for the next two days to states where they saw opportunity.

Trump told the crowd in Tampa that there would be a campaign event in Minnesota this weekend, although one had not previously been scheduled. Minnesota has not voted for a Republican since 1984. His campaign confirmed a rally scheduled for Wisconsin on Sunday has been canceled.

Clinton started the day by stopping by the West Miami Community Center, a Cuban American neighborhood, with telenovela star Jencarlos Canela, a Miami native of Cuban descent.

She then visited her campaign's office in Little Haiti where there is a large concentration of Haitian-American residents. Clinton was joined by Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager who was shot dead in 2012 by a Sanford, Florida neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman.

In what was seen as an effort to defend typically Democratic turf, Clinton on Monday will campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before returning to Pennsylvania for a rally in Philadelphia with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, and former President Bill Clinton.

Trump is to make stops on Sunday in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia to try to steal away some states that have gone Democratic in recent presidential elections.